Fall Landscaping Tips

4 Tips for Fall
Garden and Yard Prep

Do your fences, decking areas, driveways, patios, stone walls, and steps need work? Check each hardscape area for relevant damage: insect damage, cracks, rot, wash out and decide what needs to be repaired and what you can keep an eye on for another spring - fall season. Letting hardscape repairs go often incurs greater costs in the future when decisions are made to replace or repair them.

There is a lot of discussion around this topic. My take is mow until the growing season has stopped. Mow the grass at a higher setting on the mower to keep a greener lawn. Typically I stop mowing my lawn and my clients' lawns in late November - early December. Signs to stop will be that the grass slightly browns and stops growing. The first cold snap is also a good indicator to stop mowing.

Mulching yard leaves is a faster way to take care of weekly leaves on the lawn. It adds a small amount of healthy leaf compost in the yard.
Bagging leaves (and debris) is best when leaves are heaviest on the ground and in garden beds. Some leaves can be left around shrubs, but only to keep the areas around the bottom of the shrub protected from the cold. Leaf build up can result in wetter areas around the shrubs and possible mold and rot. Rake and blow then bag them out!

Fall is the best time to start reviewing your yard tools for wear. Does the blower, mower, trimmer, or edger need to be replaced? Repaired? The holidays are approaching and with them good deals often emerge for new tools. Keep an eye out!
Do the hand tools need to be replaced or sharpened? I know more clients who throw away hand tools that are no longer sharp! Travesty! Instead check with your local hardware store for sharpening services. I know in Atlanta the Ace Hardware in Virginia Highlands sharpens tools for around $5 a tool. Best deal in town!